Patterning systems for circular knitting machines



PATTERNING SYSTEMS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Sheet Jan. 21, 1969 A. P. SAUNDERS Filed Aug. 1, 1966 .I. m I W .22 6 .H 9

I v a 2 v 7 II II Illlll III Jan. 21, 1969 N A. P. SAUNDERS 3,422,639

PATTERNING SYSTEMS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 1, 1966 Sheet -2 of 7 Jan. 21, 1969 A. P. SAUNDERS 3,422,639v

PATTERNING SYSTEMS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 1. 1966 Sheet 5 of 7 PATTERNING SYSTEMS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 1, 1966 Jan. 21, 1969 A. P. SAUNDERS Sheet mv mm Jan. 21, 1969 A. P. SAUNDERS 3,422,639

PATTERNING SYSTEMS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Sheet Filed Aug. 1, 1966 Jan. 21, 1969 A. P. SAUNDERS 3,422,539

PATTERNING SYSTEMS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 1, 1966 Sheet 6 of 7 Jan. 21, 1969 A. P. SAUNDERS 3,422,639

PATTERNING SYSTEMS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 1, 1966 Sheet of 7 United States Patent 3,422,639 PATTERNING SYSTEMS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Alfred P. Saunders, Kirby Muxloe, England, assignor to Wildt Mellor Bromley Limited, Leicester, England, a British company Filed Aug. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 569,243 Claims priority, application Great Britain, July 30, 1965, 32,637/65; Apr. 1, 1966, 14,430/66 US. C]. 66-25 15 Claims Int. Cl. D04b 9/06; D04b 9/38 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A patterning mechanism selectively influencing needles in a circular knitting machine includes a rotary wheel geared to a needle cylinder and equipped with laterally pivotal blades of magnetically responsive material. The wheel has an annular channel accommodating the blades. Elements are provided in the wheel for dividing channel into recesses, each recess housing one blade. Each blade is turnable within its recess the opposite walls of which respectively determine operative and inoperative positions of the blade. Means are provided for initially moving successive ones of the blades each into one of its two positions while an electro-magnet is employed to move selected ones of the blades into the other of its two positions.

This invention relates to patterning mechanism for application to circular knitting machines equipped with individually operable needles, or any other appropriate knitting instruments referred to for convenience in this specification simply as needles, located in the grooves or tricks of the cylinders and means for selectively and individually controlling these needles, through the medium of associated butts.

The term associated butts is need in a generic sense and is intended to include not only the more usual case in which the butts are provided on jacks, sliders or like instruments separate from the needles or selectors therefor, but also a case in which the butts are on the needles themselves. The patterning mechanism in accordance with the invention is primarily, but not exclusively, intended for application to circular knitting machines in which the butts or portions of the parts carrying said associated butts are adapted, according to predetermined patterning requirements, either to be left projecting from the needle cylinder so as to be acted upon by cam means appropriately disposed in relation to the cylinder and thereby suitably influenced to effect, or at least initiate, operation of the corresponding needles in a desired manner, or to be pressed inwards into the cylinder so as to miss said cam means whereby the relevant needles will either remain quiescent or be permitted to function in an alternative manner, all according to the nature of the patterned knitted fabric to be produced.

The invention is principally intended for application to' multi-feed circular knitting machines, although there is no limitation in this respect since the invention may be applied to any other appropriate types of circular knitting machines such, for instance, as hose or half-hose machines. Moreover, the invention is equally applicable to circular knitting machines having rotary needle cylinders and to those having rotary cam boxes.

Circular knitting machines have customarily been 3,422,639 Patented Jan. 21, 1969 "ice equipped with patterning mechanism of either a wholly mechanical or an electro-mechanical character. Mechanically controlled mechanisms have comprised rotary drums fitted with prearranged pegs or rotary wheels equipped with bits or equivalent, slides, selectors, star-wheels, and so on. Such mechanisms are mechanically complex and limited in their patterning scope.

Electro-mechanically controlled mechanisms have comprised stacks of electro-magnetic actuators for selectively actuating individually movable selector members and a jacquard-like control strip or band movable in time with the operation of the knitting machine for controlling the said actuators. But such electro-mechanical patterning mechanisms are limited in their pattern area capability and fabric yield.

In attempts to provide systems which are simpler and of increased patterning scope it has previously been proposed to provide systems which are electrically or electronically controlled. Such proposed systems, however, are somewhat complicated and utilise mechanical force for moving selector components.

An object of the present invention is to provide, in or for application to a circular knitting machine, a novel form of patterning mechanism which is electro magnetic in operation.

A particular aim is the provision of a complete patterning system which can be electronically or electrically controlled and which is sensitive and reliable.

Broadly considered, the patterning mechanism according to this invention comprises at least one rotary wheel or like circular member which is arranged to be rotated about its axis in timed relation with the operation of the knitting machine the needles of which are to be selectively controlled, the wheel carrying at least one annular series of identical actuator components having extremities protruding from the periphery of the wheel, each of the actuator components being pivotally mounted upon the wheel for lateral turning movement between an operative and inoperative position and being of magnetically responsive material, means for initially moving successive ones of the components each into one of its two positions, and a stationary control electro-magnet adapted to be periodically energised by pattern selection control means so as to move selected ones of the components into the other of said positions whereby certain of the actuator components are rendered operative and others are rendered inoperative as determined by said pattern selection control means.

The idea of the invention is that each actuator component, when in its operative position, is so disposed that the outer extremity is in alignment with, and is thereby able to actuate, the relevant associated butts so that the associated needles are selected and when in its inoperative position the outer extremity of each actuator component is disposed out of alignment with the relevant associated butts so as to miss the latter whereby the latter are not actuated and the associated needles are not selected.

The or each wheel of the mechanism will normally extend with its axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the cylinder of the knitting machine, i.e. vertical, and this will be assumed hereinafter, although there is no limitation in this respect.

The said actuator components are conveniently in the form of fiat bla des each pivotally turnable about one edge thereof into said positions. The arrangement may be such that, when the blades are in their inoperative positions, they extend radially of the axis of the wheel, i.e. the median planes of the blades extend raldially of said axis and, when the blades are in their inoperative positions, they are displaced from the radial dispositions. However, there is no limitation in this respect since the arrangement could be that each of the blades, when in its operative position, is displaced to one side of the radial disposition and, when in its inoperative position, is displaced to the opposite side of the radial disposition.

The magnetically responsive material" of which the blades are formed, may be any suitable material of high magnetic permittivity, i.e. having high B/H characteristics. Preferably, each of the blades is normally not magnetised but is attracted towards the control electromagnet when the latter is energised, and is thereby drawn into its selected position. In this event, the said magnetically responsive material will be such that it can be readily and temporarily magnetised, but which retains little or no residual magnetism once the magnetic field has been removed. A suitable material for this purpose is carbon steel.

The mechanism will include means for limiting the movement of each actuator blade relatively to the wheel, i.e. for determining the operative and inoperative positions of each blade. Such means may be of any suitable form. Conveniently, the wheel is formed in its periphery with an annular series of recesses, each housing one blade which is pivotally mounted Within the recess and the two positions of which are determined by abutment thereof respectively against the opposite walls of the recess. In practice, the wheel may be formed with an annular peripheral channel which is sub-divided by partitions forming walls defining the opposite sides of said recesses. Conveniently, each blade is pivotally mounted by its inner end being received in a shallow and narrow groove formed in the bottom of the annular channel and extending parallel to the axis of the wheel. The blades are retained in the channel with their edges in the associated grooves by reason of the cross-section of the channel and the complementary shape of the blades.

The said means for initially moving, i.e. pre-setting, successive ones of the actuator blades into one of its two positions, so that all of the blades are initially set in one position, may be of any appropriate form. Such means could comprise a magnet for urging the actuator blades into the requisite position, or, alternatively, the said means could he mechanical in operation. Where the said means comprise a magnet, this could be stationary and disposed in advance of the said control electro-magnet so that the successive actuator blades passing the stationary pre-setting magnet are automatically moved into the requisite initial position. This pre-setting magnet may be either a permanent magnet or an electro-magnet which is permanently energised whilst the patterning mechanism is in operation. In any event, the pre-setting magnet, which may be a straight bar magnet, may extend in any appropriate disposition, e.g. tangentially of the wheel, with its leading end adjacent the blades so that it will attract the outer extremities of the blades so that these are moved, in the opposite direction to that in which the wheel is driven, into one of its positions.

It is to be noted that in this arrangement the actuator blades are actually moved between their inoperative and operative positions solely by magnetic force and no meohanical or pneumatic force is required.

Alternatively, the means for initially moving, i.e. presetting, successive ones of the actuator blades in to one of its two positions may be mechanical in operation and comprise elements, each associated with one of the blades and movable relatively to the wheel, for deflecting the blades in the requisite direction.

These elements are arranged in an annular series and are conveniently slidable in narrow slots formed in the outer periphery of the wheel and extending parallel to the axis. These elements may, in fact, constitute at least some of the aforesaid partitions dividing the peripheral annular channel of the wheel into separate recesses each housing one blade. The arrangement will be such that each element is movable in one direction to move the associated blade into the relevant position.

Conveniently, the elements are also each adapted to lock the associated actuator blade in one or other of its two positions. Thus, the arrangement may be such that each element is movable in one direction to pre-set the associated blade into one of its two positions, the blades then being selected as they pass the control electro-anagnet so that some of the blades are disposed in their operative portions and other blades are disposed in their inoperative positions; and the elements then each being movable in the opposite direction to lock the associated blade in the position which it has assumed as a result of such magnetic selection.

Irrespective of the form of the means for initially presettirig the blades the arrangement is advantageously such that the blades are initially set in their operative positions. Thus, in this case, the control electro-magnet selectively turns some of the blades from their pre-set operative positions, forwardly, in the same direction as that in which the wheel is driven, into the inoperative positions whilst the remaining blades are left in the operative positions.

The stationary control electro-magnet may be arranged to directly influence the outer extremities of successive blades. Alternatively, the wheel may have a series of fixed regularly spaced elements extending around its periphery so that adjacent pairs flank the blades, and constitute the aforesaid partitions determining the operative and inoperative positions a-n'd the stationary control electromagnet controlled by the pattern selection control means is arranged to influence and magnetise the said elements so that the latter influence and move the selected ones of the blades. The walls must be of a really magnetisable material such as the alloy known as Mu metal. It is to be clearly understood that such elements are distinct from the elements, where provided, described above, for mechanically deflecting the blades into desired pre-set positions, and, possibly for locking the blades in their selected positions. Where both forms of elements are provided one form of element could constitute a partition or wall defining one side of the recess housing one of the blades and the other form of element would constitute a partition or Wall defining the opposite side of the recess.

Although the patterning mechanism may be used in association with any suitable arrangement for actuating the needles, in a preferred embodiment the needles are arranged to be actuated by jacks located in the same cylinder tricks as the needles and having springy dependent extensions furnished with butts, constituting the associated butts defined above, which are acted upon, i.e. pushed into the tricks, directly by actuator blades in their operative positions.

The control electro-magnet for selecting the individual actuator blades of the or each annular series may be controlled, for patterning purposes, by any appropriate means. Preferably, however, such means are electronically controlled and comprise, a pattern or control member, for example, a strip of film, bearing information corresponding to the desired pattern, an electronic pattern scanning system for systematically scanning the information carried by the pattern control member and for converting it into electrical signals which are arranged to cause the requisite intermittent energisation of the control electro-magnet. Thus, the present invention provides a complete electronically controlled patterning system for a circular knitting machine.

The leading extremities of the actuator blades, for action upon the associated butts are advantageously split intermediate the upper and lower edges and the lower portions of the extremity are deflected to one side of theblade relatively to the upper portion to form a fork-piece which will straddle an associated butt to be acted upon and ensure engagement therewith.

Where the patterning system in accordance with the invention is to be applied to a circular knitting machine of course gauge, the actuator blades of the or each mechanism in accordance with the invention may selectively control all of the needles. Where the system is to be applied to a circular knitting machine of fine gauge, a plurality of mechanisms in accordance with the invention may be provided, the actuator blades of these mechanisms being arranged to actuate spaced ones of the needles. For example, two mechanisms may be provided, the actuator blades of one mechanism being adapted, when selected, to actuate the butts associated with alternate needles and the actuator blades of the other mechanism being adapted, when selected, to actuate the butts associated With the inervening needles.

Preferably, however, a unitary mechanism in accordance with this invention is provided for actuating all of the needles of a machine even if it is of a fine gauge. Thus, in this case the mechanism has two or more coaxially aligned wheels which carry, or a single wheel which carries, two or more annular series of actuator blades, suitably spaced axially, the actuator blades of one series being off-set relatively to those of the other series by half of the pitch of one series, upon the wheel, the components of one series, for example, being arranged to act upon the alternate needles and the blades of the other series being arranged to act on the intervening needles.

Where such mechanism includes elements as described above for moving the actuator blades into their initial preset positions and locking the actuator blades in their selected positions, these elements are conveniently each adapted to control the actuator blades of both series. Thus, in this case, each of the elements is cranked so that one portion lies immediately adjacent to the relevant actuator blade of one series and the other portion of the element lies immediately adjacent the relevant actuator blade of the other series.

Where a plurality of mechanisms are incorporated in an electronically controlled patterning system the mechanisms may be arranged to be controlled by a plurality of strips of film or the like or a common strip.

Where a plurality of mechanisms are provided in association with one knitting machine all of the mechanisms may be permanently located in suitable positions relatively to the needle cylinder the needles of which are to be controlled, although they could alternatively be mounted upon respective pivotal carrier plates which are adapted to swing to move the mechanisms between retracted inoperative positions and operative positions adjacent the needle cylinder. Thus the wheels of the individual mechanisms in this case, are mounted upon a common mounting and constitute a single patterning unit, the pattern of which can be readily changed by changing the strip of film or the like.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood two specific constructional examples of patterning mechanism in accordance with the invention as applied to cylinder and dial knitting machines will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical cross sectional view through part of a knit-ting machine at a needle selecting station and the wheel of one form of patterning mechanism located at said station.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic plan view, on a larger scale, shOWing the upper part of the patterning wheel of the form of patterning mechanism shown in FIGURE 1 and the adjacent segment of the needle cylinder.

FIGURE 2A is a diagrammatic plan view of the lower patterning wheel of the patterning mechanism shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a detail sectional side elevation of the patterning wheel of the mechanism shown in FIGURES l and 2 taken on the line III-III of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross sectional view, correspond ing to FIGURE 1 but on a larger scale, through part of a knitting machine at a needle selecting station and the wheel of an alternative form of patterning mechanism located at said station.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional plan view, corresponding to FIGURE 2 and taken on the line VV of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a general perspective view of one element of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 4 and associated pivotal blades and electromagnets.

FIGURE 7 is a detail vertical sectional view showing the cams for actuating the elements.

FIGURE 8 is a detail sectional side elevation, corresponding to FIGURE 3, taken on line VIII-VIII of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 9 is a diagram showing one example of an electrical control arrangement for controlling patterning mechanisms of either of the forms illustrated in FIG- URES 1-8.

Like parts are designated by the same references throughout the drawings.

The circular knitting machines shown in the drawings to which are applied patterning mechanisms of either of the specific forms to be described, each has a rotary needle cylinder, a portion of which is indicated at 1, equipped with a circular series of needles 2 in tricks or grooves 3 in the cylinder. The machine also includes a rotatable dial, indicated generally at 4, equipped with radially extending needles 5, and an associated fixed dial cam plate 6.

One of a series of needle actuating spring jacks located below the needles in the tricks or grooves 3 of the needle cylinder is indicated at 7, as shown most clearly in FIG- URE 1. Each jack 7 is provided with a springy extension 7a, which, when permitted, moves outwardly so that the lower edge thereof can engage a jack raising cam 8 (FIG- URES 1 and 4) whereby the jack is raised and the corresponding needle is raised into a knitting track, that is to say for action thereupon by knitting cams 9 (FIGURE 1). A jack presser 10 is mounted in front of, and in the same trick 3, as each jack 7 for operating the latter. Whenever certain jacks 7 are to remain down and not raise corresponding needles the relevant jack pressers are moved into the tricks 3 to prevent the lower end of each jack from engaging the jack raising cam 8. Whenever certain jacks are to be raised the jack pressers associated therewith are not pressed towards the jacks so that the lower ends of the latter are not held within the trick and can move outwardly for actuation by the jack raising cam 8. The outer edge of each jack presser 10 is furnished with a patterning butt 10a or 10b, these butts being disposed at one of two different heights. Thus, the jack pressers associated with the alternate needles are each formed with a patterning butt 10a at a high level and the jack pressers associated with the intervening needles are each formed with a patterning butt 10b at a low level.

The patterning mechanism, shown in FIGURES 1 to 3 and indicated generally at 11, is in the form of a unitary assembly comprising two identical wheels 12, 12 coaxially mounted and spaced apart by a spacer 13 on a vertical shaft 14 mounted for rotation in a bearing 15 supported on the fixed frame 16 of the machine. The shaft 14 is driven, in the anticlockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2, by a pinion 17 mounted on the lower end thereof and meshing with the rotating cylinder gear 18 (FIGURE 1). Each wheel 12, 12 carries an annular series of actuator blades 19, 12 of carbon steel pivotally mounted thereon as will be described hereinafter. The wheels 12, 12 are co-axially mounted upon and keyed to the shaft 14 in positions offset from one another such that when the actuator blades 19 in wheel 12 are in their operative positions they are ofiset with respect to the actuator blades 19 in the wheel 12 whereby blades of one wheel can actuate jack pressers 10 associated with alternate needles 2 and the blades of the other wheel can actuate the jack pressers associated with intervening needles 2.

Each wheel 12, 12 comprises a cylindrical hub 20, 20 of short axial length and small diameter keyed to the shaft 14. The opposed faces of the hub are reduced and two identical discs or rings 21, 21 of appropriate diameter are mounted on the reduced portions, and secured by screws 20a (FIGURE 2). The hubs and the discs are of a non-magnetisable material such as brass. The two discs of each wheel define therebetween an annular channel around the hub 13 in which the actuator blades 19 or 19 are mounted. The outer end portions of the blades protrude beyond the peripheries of the discs.

The discs 21, 21 are formed with a circular series of slots 21a each extending parallel to the axis of the disc, the slots in the opposed discs of each wheel being of identical size and pitch and aligned with one another. Mounted in each of the slots is an element in the form of a small rectangular plate 22, 22 Each element extends into the annular channel around the wheel for a short distance. Thus, the elements 22, 22 in the opposed discs extend towards one another but their adjacent ends are separated by a small distance. In other words the opposed elements, in effect, constitute a single element which is split into two. The adjacent pairs of opposed elements constitute walls defining recesses in each of which is disposed one of the actuator blades 19, 19 The elements are of a readily magnetisable material such as the alloy named MU metal.

The periphery of each hub 20, 20 is formed with a circular series of shallow grooves 26b (FIGURE 2) extending parallel to its axis of rotation and aligned with the spaces or recesses between adjacent pairs of the elements 22. The inner end of each blade 19, 19 is received in the relevant groove whereby the blade can turn about this end between its operative and inoperative positions in one of which it abuts against the pair of elements 22 defining one side of the relevant recess and in the other position it abuts against the pair of elements 22 defining the opposite side of the recess.

The opposed faces of the discs 21, 21 of each wheel are formed with short inwardly directed flanges 21b so that the channel is of reduced width adjacent the peripheries of the rings. Each of the blades 19, 19 is in the form of a generally rectangular flat plate which can be received within the channel between the flanges and has two outwardly directed lugs 19a, which abut against the steps formed by the inner edges of the flanges 21b and thereby retain each blade within the Wheel. The blades 19 are inserted between the rings during assembly of the Wheel and are then retained therein. The slots 21a in associated pairs of discs 21 of one Wheel are aligned with one another but the slots in the discs of one wheel are oifset from the slots in the discs of the other wheel by a distance equal to half the pitch of the slots. The grooves 20b in the hubs 20, 20 are of identical size and pitch but are similarly offset with respect to one another so that the blades 19, 19 engaged therewith can act respectively upon the butts of jack pressers associated with the alternate and intervening needles 2.

The leading extremities of the blades 19, 19 for action upon the butts 10a or 10b of the associated jack pressers 10 are split intermediate their upper and lower edges and the lower portion 19b of the extremity is deflected to one side of the blade so that the two portions form a fork piece which will straddle and ensure engagement with the butts of associated jack pressers to be actuated thereby.

The mechanism of this example includes a straight bar magnet 23 (FIGURE 2) extending tangentially of each wheel 12, 12 with its leading end adjacent the blades. The magnet 23 is rigidly supported by any suitable means (not shown). This magnet is a presetting magnet which attracts the outer extremities of the blades so that these are moved, in the opposite direction to that in which the wheel is driven, i.e. clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 2, into contact with the pair of elements defining the opposite side of the recess in which each blade is located. In the arrangement of this example this is the operative position of the blade.

The mechanism also includes a control electro-magnet indicated generally at 24, 24 associated with each wheel 12, 12 and interposed between the pre-setting magnet 23, 23 and the needle cylinder 1 and rigidly supported by any suitable means (not shown). Each of the magnets 24 is in the form of a horseshoe magnet, with the spaced poles thereof superimposed and receiving the periphery of the wheel 12, 12 therebetween with slight clearances between the poles and the upper and lower edges of the elements 22, 22 In this way as each pair of elements 22 passes between the poles of the relevant control electromagnet 24, 24 at such times when the latter is energized, the upper and lower elements 22 will have a magnetic force temporarily induced therein of polarities respectively corresponding to those of the upper and lower poles of the relevant control electro-magnet 24, 24 A concentration of magnetic flux is thereby produced across the gap between the opposed elements 22 so that the adjacent blade 19, 19 will be attracted towards the elements. Thus, each electro-maguet 24, 24 selectively turns some of the blades 19, 19 from their pre-set operative positions, forwardly, in the same direction as that in which the wheel 12, 12 is driven, into the inoperative positions whilst the remaining blades 19, 19 are left in the operative positions.

It is to be noted that in the mechanism of this example the actuator blades are actually moved between their inoperative and operative positions solely by magnetic force and no mechanical or pneumatic force is required.

The control electro-magnets 24, 24 for selectively actuating the individual blades 19, 19 may be controlled, for patterning purposes, by any appropriate means. One example of such means will be described hereinafter.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows. As the wheels 12, 12 turn, the actuator bladm 19, 19 are successively moved into their operative, rearward positions by the action of the pre-setting magnets 23, 23 The blades 19, 19 then pass the control electro-magnets 24, 24 which are selectively and periodically energized so as to attract some of the blades 19, 19 such that, as the wheels continue to turn, the selected blades are moved into their forward, inoperative, positions. Where the magnets 24 remain de-energized, the blades remain in their rearward, operative, positions. As the wheels continue to turn those of the actuator blades 19, under consideration in their operative positions in the wheel 12 act upon the relevant jack selectors 10 associated with the alternate needles, to press the selectors inwards and render the associated needles inoperative. Similarly the blades 19 in the wheel 12 under consideratoin in their operative positions in the wheel 12 act upon the butts of the relevant jack selectors 10 associated with the intervening needles to render the relevant ones of the latter inoperative. The blades 19, 19 in both wheels in their inoperative positions do not act upon the jack selectors 10 so that the needles are operative and the mechanism is reset. The cycle is completed as the blades again pass the pro-setting magnets 23, 23

Turning now to the example of patterning mechanism indicated generally at 25 in FIGURES 4-8, this comprises a single wheel 26 mounted in the same manner as the wheels 12, 12 of the mechanism described with reference to FIGURES I3, and furnished with two axially spaced annular series of actuator blades 27, 27 of carbon steel, pivotally mounted thereon as will be described hereinafter, for selectively acting upon the butts of and actuating jack selectors 10 respectively controlling the alternate and the intervening needles 2 of the knitting machine to which the mechanism is applied.

The wheel 26 comprises four solid annular sections or discs 28, 29, 30 and 31, of brass or other non-ferrous metal mounted in appropriate axially spaced relation upon a cylindrical spindle or hub 32, also of brass or the like, and spaced apart thereon by two cylindrical spacers or hubs 33, 33 which may also be of brass as described with reference to FIGURE 1. The discs 2831 are secured to the spacers 33, 33 by screws (not shown) to form a rigid assembly. The discs 28-31 define therebetween annular spaces or channels, around the spacers or hubs 33, 33 in which the actuator blades 27, 27 are mounted. The opposed faces of the discs 28-30 are annularly rebated to form inwardly directed flanges 28a, 29a and 30a so that each channel is of reduced width adjacent the periphery of the wheel 26. The external surfaces of the two spacers 33, 33 are formed with grooves 33a parallel to the axis of the wheel into each of which extends the inner edge of one of the actuator blades 27, 27 The grooves 33a in the spacers 33, 33 are of identical size and pitch but are offset with .respect to one another by the distance equal to half the pitch of the grooves so that the blades 27, 27 engaged therewith can act respectively upon the butts of the jack selectors associated with alternate and intervening needles 2.

Each of the blades 27, 27 is in the form of a generally rectangular flat plate which can be received within the channel between the flanges 28a, 29a and 30a and has two outwardly directed lugs 27a, which abut against the steps formed by the inner edges of the flanges and thereby retain each blade within the wheel. The blades 27, 27 are inserted into the channels between the discs during assembly of the wheel.

The outer edges of the discs 28 and 30 are formed with slots 28b, 30b. The slots 28b in the upper disc 28 are of the same size and pitch as, but are offset from, the slots 30!) in the lower disc 30 by a distance equal to half the pitch of the slots. Mounted in the slots are elements 34 in the form of elongated flat strips, the number of the elements 34 corresponding to the number of the actuator blades 27, 27 Each of the elements 34 is cranked to provide one portion 34a which is slidable in one of the slots in the upper disc 28, and another portion 34b located in one of the slots in the disc 30. The intermediate disc 29 is of smaller diameter than the upper and lower discs so that the cranked portion 340 of the elements 34 are disposed adjacent the periphery of the disc 29.

The elements 34 divide the channels into recesses in each of which an actuator blade 27, 27 is pivotable from one position in which it abuts against the relevant element 34 defining one side of the recess and another position in which it abuts against the element 34 defining the opposite side of the recess.

Each of the elements 34 is formed with integral lugs which constitute a pair of fingers 35, 36 and a pair of campieces 37, 38. The fingers 35 is disposed above and for action upon the relevant actuator blade 27 in the upper series and the finger 36 is disposed above and for action upon the relevant actuator blade 27 in the lower series. The cam-piece 37 is disposed immediately below and for action upon the relevant blade 27 in the upper series and the cam-piece 38 is disposed immediately below and for action upon the relevant actuator blade 27 in the lower series.

Each of the cam-pieces 37, 38 is in the form of a ramp extending at right angles to the plane of the element 34 for acting upon one face of, and deflecting, the associated actuator blade 27 or 27 into its inoperative position as a result of upward movement of the element. Each of the fingers 35, 36 extends parallel to the plane of the element and is displaced from the latter through a distance equivalent to the thickness of an actuator blade. The result of magnetic selection is to move certain of the blades 27, 27 previously inoperative into their operative positions. The fingers 35, 36 are each arranged, as a result of downward movement of the element 34, to lock each blade in its operative or inoperative position depending on whether or not said blade has previously been magnetically se- 10 lected. In other words 35, 36 is disposed either at one side of the relevant blade to lock the latter in its operative position, or at the opposite side of the blade to lock it in its inoperative position, depending upon the position to which the blade has previously been moved.

The elements 34 are held by an endless band spring 39 surrounding the wheel 26 and engaged in recesses formed in the outer edges 34d of the elements 34, the recesses being of sufiicient height to accommodate the requisite vertical movements of the elements 34.

As previously described, the wheel 26 is mounted on a vertical shaft on a mounting bracket secured to the frame of the knitting machine and is adapted to be rotated by a gear wheel thereon (not shown) meshing with the cylinder gear, in the same manner as that shown in FIGURE 1. A cam system is secured to the mounting bracket and extends adjacent but below the wheel 26 at the side of the latter remote from the needle cylinder 1 of the machine. Each of the elements 34 depends below the wheel and is formed with a butt 40 or 41 for cooperation with the cam system. The cam system comprises two lower cams 42, 43 disposed one above the other, each of retractible bolt type and of such form as to raise the elements 34 to release the actuator blades 27, 27 and initially deflect the latter into inoperative positions, and a single upper cam 44, which is arranged to act upon the butts 40, 41 to lower the elements 34 for locking the actuator blades in their selected positions.

The butts 40 on the majority of the elements 34 are disposed for engagement with the cam 42. However, a small number of adjacent ones of the elements 34 have their butts 41 at a lower location, and of shorter length, than the butts 40 on the majority of the elements, these short butts 41 extending down to the lower edge of the relevant element 34. In other words, these few elements 34 are of greater width at their lower ends than the majority of the elements but their butts 41 are of a length less than that of the butts 40 on the other elements. Moreover, each of the few elements is formed with a shoulder at 41a constituting the upper edge of the short butt 41 for contact with the upper cam 44.

The lower cam 43 acts upon the short butts, i.e. the lower edges of the relevant elements 34 to raise these elements, at the appropriate times, to the same height as the other elements 34 to release the actuator blades and deflect the latter into inoperative positions. The purpose of the differentiated butts 40, 41 on the elements 34 is to facilitate reintroduction of the cams 42, 43, the cam 43 being reintroduced prior to cam 42 being reintroduced. The retractible bolt cams 42, 43 are carried respectively by stems 42a, 43a, whereby the cams can be withdrawn into inoperative positions or moved into operative positions by conventional means (not shown).

The mechanism also includes a control electro-magnet, indicated generally at 45, 45 associated with each series of actuator blades 27, 27 Each electro-magnet is of horseshoe form with the two poles 45a, 45b superimposed. The poles are spaced so that the blades can run therebetween, with slight clearances between the poles and the upper and lower edges of the blades 27, 27 In this way, as each blade passes between the poles of the relevant control electro-magnet 45, 45 at such times when the coil 450 of the latter is energised, the blade 27, 27 will be attracted towards the magnet. Thus, each electromagnet 45, 45 selectively turns some of the blades 27, 27 from the their pre-set forward, inoperative positions, rearwardly, in the opposite direction to that in which the wheel 26 is driven, into the operative positions whilst the remaining blades are left in the inoperative positions.

The cam 44 is mounted on a horizontal stem 44a and is free to turn about the axis of this stern out of its operative position but is spring loaded into its operative position such that should an actuator blade 27, 27 not have been accurately selected so that the associated element 34 cannot be drawn downwardly, the cam 44 will be forced 1 1 back, against the action of the spring and will not actuate the element.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows. As the wheel 26 turns, those actuator blades 27, 27 approaching the side of the wheel remote from the needle cylinder 1 are released, as a result of the associated elements 34 being raised to an intermediate height during the passage of the butts 40, 41 over the lower cams 42, 43, thereby releasing the fingers 35, 36 from the actuator blades. These blades are then successively deflected by the cam-pieces 37, 38 into their inoperative, forward positions, as the wheel continues to turn, as a result of the elements 34 being raised to maximum height as the butts 40, 41 travel over the cams 42, 43.

The elements 34 are then lowered to their intermediate positions by the action of the upper cam 44 upon the butts 40, 41 so that no portions of the elements 34 contact the blades. At this point, the blades pass the control electromagnets 45, 45 which are selectively and periodically energised so as to attract some of the blades such that, as the wheel continues to turn, the selected blades are moved into their rearward, operative positions. Where the magnet remains de-energised, the blades remain in their forward, inoperative positions.

Upon furher slight movement of the wheel, the elements 34 are moved downwards by the upper cam 44 continuing to act upon the butts 40, 41, so that the blades are locked by fingers 35, 36 either in their operative or in their inoperative positions depending as to whether or not they were previously selected by the electro-magnets. The elements 34 remain in this locking position under the influence of gravity. As the wheel 26 continues to turn, those of the actuator blades under consideration in their operative positions act upon the jack selectors whilst those in their inoperative positions do not act upon the jack selectors. The cycle is completed, and as the wheel continues to turn the elements 34 are raised to release the blades prior to re-selection.

The control electro magnets 45, 45 for selecting the individual plates may be controlled, for patterning purposes, by any appropriate means. One example of such means for controlling the electro-magnets of either the patterning mechanism described above with reference to FIGURES 1-3, or the patterning mechanism described wit-h reference to FIGURES 4-8 will now be described with reference to FIGURE 9.

These means comprise a pattern control member in the form of an endless band 46 which may be opaque and punched at intervals with holes, or which alternatively, may be in the form of a film having some opaque areas and some areas which are either translucent or transparent constituting pattern control information.

The band passe-s around a stationary cylinder 47 and is intermittently advanced longitudinally to bring successive portions of the band into alignment with the cylinder in accordance with the operation of the knitting machine to which the patterning mechanism is to be applied. Thus, the band may be arranged to be advanced by the con ventional cam chain or other timing mechanism of the machine.

Associated with the cylinder is an electronic pattern scanning system of a form known, per se. Thus, the wall of the cylinder is opaque but is formed with a radially extending hole. Disposed within the cylinder and aligned with this hole is a photo-electric cell 48. Mounted in a fixed position, upon suitable supporting means and in alignment with the hole is a screened light source 49 producing a beam of light. The arrangement is such that whenever the unpunched or opaque areas of the band 46 are aligned with the hole in the cylinder 47 light from the source cannot reach the photo-electric cell 48 so that the latter is not actuated. However, whenever a punched hole or a translucent or transparent area of the band is aligned with the hole in the cylinder 47 light from the source 49 can pass through the band to the photo electric cell to actuate the latter. Holes are punched in the band or transparent or translucent areas are provided in the band at pre-determined positions corresponding to the pattern required to be produced, i.e. in accordance with the required selection of the needles of the machine for patterning purposes. Thus, the photo-electric cell is actuated in accordance with the pattern selecting areas on the band 46 and produces intermittent pulses of electric current in accordance with the requisite pattern which pass along a cable 50 to a synchronising device 51 which determines the length of pulses of electric current intermittently supplied to the electro-magnets and which also synchronises the pulses with the operation of the knitting machine. This synchronising device 51 could be of any conventional form. In one example, this device 51 comprises a light source which is rendered operative by pulses of electric current fed thereto, i.e. along the cable 50 and includes a disc which is rotatable about this axis in timed relation with the operation of the patterning mechanism and which is formed wih an annular series of slots or apertures. The device includes a further photo electric cell. The light source within the device 51 is aligned with the annular path of the apertures or slots in the disc so that when successive apertures or slots are aligned with the light source a beam of light can pass therethrough to the photo electric cell whereby the latter is actuated. However, when unapertured portions of the opaque disc are aligned with the light source and photo electric cell, light cannot pass to the latter so that the latter is not actuated. The dimensions of the apertures or slots in the disc, the diameter of the annular series thereof and the speed of rotation in relation to the speed or rotation of the or each wheel of each patterning mechanism are such that the length of electrical pulses emitted by the photo electric cell within the synchronising device are synchronised within the passage of successive actuator blades past the associated control electro magnets of the patterning mechanism and the length of the pulses is sufficient to only actuate one actuator blade of each series of the pattern ing mechanism, thereby ensuring that two successive blades are not actuated by the same electric pulse. Manifestly, the electrical pulses created by the photo electric cell within the synchronising device are determined by the pulses created by the photo electric cell 48. In other words, the synchronising device 51 merely synchronises and abbreviates the length of each electrical pulse generated by the photo electric cell in accordance with the patterning disposition upon the band 46.

The electrical pulses created by the photo electric cell within the synchronizing device 51 are fed along a cable 52 to an amplifier 53 and thence by a cable 54 to the electro magnets 24, 24 or 45, 45 as the case may be, of the patterning mechanism 11 or 25 concerned.

Where the synchronizing device is sufliciently accurate to produce electrical pulses of sufiiciently short length and synchronisation to control the electro magnets of the patterning mechanism to cause selection of successive needles of the knitting machine only one such synchronising device may be required. However, it may be necessary to provide one such synchronising device for each series of actuator blades, that is to say, for each control electro magnet, in each patterning mechanism.

Where a plurality of patterning mechanisms are provided, one mechanism being applied to each feed to a multi feeder knitting machine, each patterning mechanism being designed to operate synchronously to produce identical patterning selections of the groups of needles associated with the feeds a single arrangement, as shown in FIGURE 9, a single band 46 may be used to control all of the patterning mechanisms. However, it may be necessary to provide a plurality of bands 46 or alternatively to provide patterning dispositions upon the band in different longitudinal tracks and a plurality 13 of screen light sources 49 and photo electric cells 48 for respectively controlling the patterning mechanisms associated with the respective feeds.

-In any event, the or each light source 49 and the light source, where provided, in the synchronising device 51, will have associated therewith in conventional fashion, lens systems for producing a pencil beam of light directed towards the relevant photo electric cell.

The leading extremities of the blades 27, 27 for action upon the butts a or 10b of the associated jack pressers 10 are split intermediate their upper and lower edges and the lower portion 27b of the extremity is deflected to one side of the blade so that the two portions form a fork piece which will straddle and ensure engagement with the butts of associated jack pressers to be actuated thereby.

I claim:

1. A circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder; individually operable needles in said cylinder; instruments in the cylinder for selecting and individually influencing said needles, said instruments having thereon patterning butts; a gear for rotating said cylinder; a patterning mechanism including at least one rotary wheel geared to the cylinder gear and thus arranged to be driven about its axis in timed relation with the rotation of the cylinder; and at least one circular series of identical but individually movable actuator components carried by said wheel and having outer extremities protruding from the periphery of the wheel for action upon desired patterning butts to effect selective actuation of the needles; wherein the improvement comprises the provision of actuator components in the form of generally flat blades of magnetically responsive material, each such blade being pivotally mounted at its inner end upon the wheel for lateral turning movement between an operative and an inoperative position; said Wheel being formed with an annular channel accommodating the actuator blades; a circular series of initially separate elements provided in the wheel for dividing said channel into an annular series of recesses, each of said recesses housing one of the blades, said blades each being so pivotally mounted as to turn laterally within the recess associated therewith, the operative and inoperative positions of each of the blades being determined by abutment thereof against first and second opposite walls defined by the separate elements of the recess associated therewith; means for initially moving successive ones of the blades each into one of the two positions thereof; a stationary control electro-magnet; and pattern selection control means for periodically energising said electro-magnet so as to move selected ones of the blades into the other of said two positions, whereby certain of the actuator blades are rendered operative and others are rendered inoperative as determined by said pattern selection control means.

2. A circular knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for initially moving successive ones of the blades comprise the separate elements dividing the annular channel into recesses, said elements being slidable in slots formed in the periphery of the wheel and each extending parallel to the axis of the latter.

3. A circular knitting machine according to claim 2, wherein the separate elements are movable for temporarily locking each of the blades in the position in which it is disposed subsequent to passage past the control electro-magnet whereby the blades are locked in these positions during movement relatively to the needles.

4. A circular knitting machine according to claim 3, wherein the said elements are so arranged that they are movable in one direction to move the associated blades into the initial positions and the same elements are movable in the opposite direction to lock the associated blades in the positions which they have assumed as a result of selection by said control electro-magnet 5. A circular knitting machine according to claim 4, wherein each of the elements is formed with a portion constituting a ramp for acting upon one face of, and deflecting, the associated actuator blade into one position and the element has a portion constituting a finger for engaging and locking each blade in either the operative or inoperative position in which it has been disposed as a result of magnetic selection by, the control electromagnet.

6. A circular knitting machine according to claim 3, wherein the elements are arranged to be moved in one direction or the other by a cam system, each element being equipped with a butt adapted to run as the wheel revolves along a stationary cam track having cams for moving the elements in one direction, i.e., upwardly, and other cams for moving the cams in the opposite direction, i.e., downwardly.

7. A circular knitting machine according to claim 4, wherein the elements are each furnished with a differential butt and two retractable bolt, cams are provided for action upon these butts, for raising the elements for deflecting the blades into their forward, i.e. inoperative positions.

8. A circular knitting machine according to claim 5, wherein the cam for moving the elements downwardly is spring loaded such that should an actuator blade not have been accurately selected so that the associated element cannot be drawn downwardly, the cam will be forced back against the action of the spring and will not actuate the element.

9. A circular knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of co-axially mounted wheels, carry at least two annular series of actuator blades, suitably spaced axially, the actuator blades of one series being offset relatively to those of other series, the blades of one series, being arranged to act upon the patterning butts or instruments associated with spaced needles and the blades of the other series being arranged to act upon the patterning butts on instruments associated with other spaced needles.

10. A circular knitting machine according to claim 9, wherein the said elements for moving the actuator blades into their inoperative positions and locking the actuator blades in their selected positions are each adapted to control the actuator blades of both series, each of the elements being cranked so that one portion lies immediately adjacent the relevant actuator blades of one series and the other portionlies immediately adjacent the relevant actuator blade of the other series.

'11. A patterning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the stationary control electro-magnet is arranged to directly influence the outer extremities of blades successively passing the electro-magnet.

12. A patterning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said wheel includes a hub formed with an annular series of grooves, each extending parallel to the axis of the hub, the inner end of each actuator blade being received and pivoted in one of the grooves.

13. A patterning mechanism according to claim 12, wherein said wheel includes discs spaced apart by one or more of said hubs and flanking the or each series of actuator blades, the opposed discs being formed with annular flanges and each of the blades having integral lugs which abut against the said flanges.

14. A patterning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the patterning selection control means are electronically controlled and comprise a pattern control member bearing information corresponding to the desired pattern, a scanning system for systematically scanning the information carried by the pattern control member and for converting it into electrical signals which are arranged to cause the requisite intermittent energisation of the control electro-magnet.

15. A patterning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the leading extremities of the blades, for action upon the associated butts are split intermediate the upper and lower edges and at least one of the portions of engagement therewith.

15 16 the extremity are deflected to one side of the blade rela- 3,170,312 2/1965 Stock. tively to the other portion to form a fork-piece which 3,292,393 2/1966 Ribler 6650 will straddle an associated butt to be actuated and ensure 3,313,128 4/ 1967 Schmidt 6650 3,313,129 4/1967 Stock 6650 XR References Cited 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 597,444 8/ 1925 France. UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,401,262 4/ 1965 France.

2/1934 Lombard- 438,387. 12/1926 Germany. 12/1940 Page 454,301 9/1936 Great Britain. 11/1941 Tandler. 10

3/1963 Schaeder et a1.

WM. CARTER REYNOLDS, Primary Examiner. 

